Local heritage gems will be revealed

24/07/2012

Two of south London’s most colourful areas will be the subject of heritage projects that will uncover local secrets to fascinate residents and visitors alike.

The two projects will share grants totalling more than £42,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). They will showcase the varied but hidden history of Camberwell and four of the main landmarks in Tooting, both districts whose existence was recorded in the Domesday book in 1086.

Sue Bowers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “Local people of all ages will be uncovering a wealth of compelling facts about these two areas and presenting them in a range of imaginative ways while themselves acquiring a number of new skills in the process”

A Travel guide to Camberwell for local residentsCamberwell Arts has been given a £25,900 grant to show that the area is so much more than just a thoroughfare. Named for the health-giving waters of the Camber Well, the area was home to writer and critic John Ruskin and briefly to composer Felix Mendlessohn. It was the birthplace of one William Henry Pratt, better known as actor Boris Karloff and as a village in the mid 1700s it gave its name to a rare species of butterfly – the Camberwell Beauty.

These and many other facts, as well as historic buildings, will be researched by more than 60 local residents with the aid of an extensive programme of workshops that will bring artists, writers, designers and historians together with local people to create a guide to the area in both printed and digital form.

A brochure will include an illustrated map that links different sites of interest together as a self-guided tour and a downloadable MP3 audio tour will be created with sound tracks created by artists, musicians and historians bringing to life historical incidents and details of heritage sites. The audio tour with a corresponding map will be downloadable from the Camberwell Arts website and a series of postcards and posters featuring local sites will be designed.

For Camberwell Arts, trustee Gill Henderson, said: “Millions of bus passengers pass through Camberwell every year but very few have any idea of the rich and varied history of this fascinating area of South London. The HLF grant gives local people a great opportunity to discover for themselves the treasures on their own doorstep and then learn the skills to blow the trumpet about the history of Camberwell to the rest of the world.”

A heritage tour of Tooting Action Space London Events has received a £16,900 grant for a young persons’ project that responds to a desire by those taking part to learn more about local iconic landmarks. The project has been awarded its grant under the HLF’s Young Roots programme. The young people will investigate the history of Tooting Bec Lido, the area’s two tube stations, Tooting Bec and the Broadway, and Tooting Market.

The buildings involved in the project date from the Edwardian era and some incorporate designs from architect Charles Holden that encompass both arts and crafts movement and modernist influences. The Lido remains the largest swimming pool in terms of surface area in the UK while Tooting Market was one of the first indoor markets of its kind and will be the venue for a multi-media public exhibition to display the results of the project which is being supported by Wandsworth Heritage Services. The exhibition will be presented as part of a weekend community event, delivered in association with The Brick Box community interest collective at Tooting Market and celebrating the diverse heritage of the Tooting area.

For Action Space London Events Barbara van Heel, Co-Director, said: “The young people are delighted to have been awarded this grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. They are very excited about the opportunity to find out more about their local area and to be able to share their discoveries with friends, family and local residents, whilst also showcasing their creative talents.”